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Stink Bug Monitoring Tool Developed by Penn State Researchers

Posted: May 9, 2011

As fruit growers brace for another year of infestations by the brown marmorated stink bug, Penn State researchers have released a Web-based tool that they hope will help enhance their understanding of this invasive insect pest. Developed in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the mapping tool is embedded in a website found at http://stinkbug-info.org/ online. Source: Penn State Live - http://live.psu.edu/story/53204.

In the short term, data collected could provide an early warning for growers about where stink-bug populations are occurring so they can take appropriate action to protect their crops. In the long term, researchers hope to learn more about how the pest spreads and moves between crops, with an eye toward developing better management strategies.

The website, which researchers will update and enhance over time, also acts as a portal for information about the stink bug, including photos, a description and management tips for homeowners.

In 2010, an estimated 20 percent of all fruit grown in Pennsylvania was injured by the pest, with some growers experiencing losses as high as 40 percent or more. The US Apple Association estimates that losses last year reached $37 million for mid-Atlantic apple growers.